Chocobo

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They live in the 7 Chocobo forests around the World. Adults and children are called Chocobos and Chicobos respectively. Chicobos are spotted often, whereas Chocobos are rarely seen. Loved for their gentle nature, Chocobos respond quickly to Chicobos in danger.

If the player chooses to disembark a chocobo, it will depart, and they will have to reenter a Chocobo Forest if they wish to ride another. Therefore, it is imperative for the player to only disembark if it is possible for Squall to reach a Chocobo Forest or a vehicle by foot, otherwise, the party will have become effectively stranded, rendering it impossible to continue with the plotline.

Final Fantasy VIII is the first game to feature a different name for baby chocobos; known as a chicobo. The very first instance of a baby chocobo is in Final Fantasy V.

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A full sized chocobo stands at about 275 cm (9 foot) in height while a chicobo, depending on age, can be seen to be about 17 cm (6.7 inch) in height on up.

Only the yellow breed of chocobo have been shown to exist in Final Fantasy VIII, but they possess a few abilities not normally associated with their kind. Most notably, they possess the ability to cross small rivers and shallow water, a trait usually associated with blue chocobos. This ability comes in useful on the game's fourth and final disc; upon entering to the Chocobo Holy Forest the player can gain access to a chocobo and use it to travel all the way back to the Kashkabald Desert to gain access to the game's airship, Ragnarok.

Final Fantasy VIII also sheds some light upon the chocobo's 'family life', revealing that the chicobo (baby chocobo) is raised by the female chocobo and is also protected by her in the Chocobo Forests. Chicobos are attracted to the ChocoZiner and will appear when called by it, but usually they will stay with their mother throughout infancy, following along behind if the mother goes wandering. One notable exception to this rule is Boko, although it is not known whether his mother is alive, lost, or whether he was abandoned upon hatching.

The chocobos also have a sacred dance they offer to perform for those they deem worthy.

The minigameChocobo World, which can be played on a PocketStation—a device sold exclusively in Japan—unlocks certain items Final Fantasy VIII. The game is included in the PC-version of Final Fantasy VIII. The protagonist is a chicobo called Boko who, along with friends Cactuar and Moomba, must rescue their friend MiniMog (a moogle) from the evil Demon King in Scary Mountain. During his adventures Boko must fight other monsters and overcome many perils, as well as fighting the urge to watch his television set and go fishing.

Squall and his friends can summon Boko into battle using Gysahl Greens after acquiring him by completing a chocobo forest puzzle. Boko has four different attacks: ChocoFire, ChocoFlare, ChocoMeteor and ChocoBocle, each attack more powerful than the previous. To get the different attacks Boko must reach a certain level and trigger an event in Chocobo World. Boko's ultimate attack, Chocobocle, summons a Chubby Chocobo in an attack that can break the damage limit.

There are two chocobo themes in Final Fantasy VIII. The first is featured when riding a chocobo on the field, called "Mods de Chocobo". The second is featured in the town of Winhill next to a chocobo crossing, it is called "ODEKA ke Chocobo". "ODEKA ke Chocobo" is also the featured theme in Chocobo World. "Mod" is a type of subculture that originated in London in 1950s, associated with African American soul, Jamaican ska, British beat music and R&B.

[view·edit·purge]The name "chocobo" derives from a Japanese brand of chocolate malt ball by Morinaga, ChocoBall(チョコボール, Chokobōru?). The mascot for this product is Kyoro-chan (キョロちゃん?), a bird who says "kweh." "Chicobo" is a portmanteau of "chick" and "chocobo".